Fishing Shows Proven to Increase Cardio Vascular Activity

The other day, I was on the elliptical at the gym. I was plugged into a sports channel (via headphones) watching reviews of the Yankees and college hoops. Within about 10 minutes, an AWESOME show came on about walleye and small mouth bass. These fish were fighters and all I can say is that the small mouth bass were all fat and happy! It was by far the most realistic fishing show that I have seen in quite some time.

To me, there is nothing more misleading than a television show that portrays fishing as some totally active, always "on" type of sport. Fishing requires patience, respect for nature, serenity, and a keen eye for "spots." These guys did a great job of describing lures, showing how to properly catch and release, all of it. Problem is, I don't remember the name of the show. They were two middle-aged men who had obviously been doing this (fishing and making the show) for a while... I'll update my blog if I think of it.

And my workout? Well, it ended more rapidly than I anticipated...thanks to the awesome fishing show! Tips up!

Stepping Up in the World

I recently heard a story on the radio about the installation of a fish ladder in Carman's River, in Brookhaven, NY. A fish ladder. As if fish have feet and can climb.

The fish ladder is used to bypass an impassible waterway. The ladder allows the fish to get up the river to spawn. In the case of Carman's river, the fish could never get all they way up the river to spawn. With the installation of the fish ladder, the fish can now "climb" up the river to spawn via the ladder.

The concept of a fish ladder has been introduced in a number of aquatic environments. All I have to say is, "Dam!"

Opening Days are here again....

For many New England states, opening days are right around the corner. This means that it is time to dust off those reels, rig some poles, grab some live bait or flies, and hit a lake or river.

I recently ran across a nice fishing calendar from New York State. These are the kinds of calendars that you can keep and refer back to when you're not sure where to go or what to hit each weekend. I used to be a bit more diligent than I am now and mark goals and trips in my calendar. I have recently had some synchronizing problems, what with a blackberry, a google calendar, outlook, and then my home calendar.

Point is - organizing some time to fish this year. There are lots of events for kids (i.e., the Simsbury Take a Kid fishing day, the Take Me Fishing program, and even the state run No Child Left Behind program).

Fishing is family-oriented, fun, and easy! Some places even offer clinics - take a look around!

Just for the Halibut II

OK, I ran across this recipe and HAD to share:

Pan-Roasted Halibut with an Iberian Stew of Chickpeas, Chorizo, and Cabbage

Can you say YUM?!?!

For previous halibut recipes, see my previous entry.

The Mouth of the Housatonic

I love it when I see pictures of beautiful striped bass. The Friends of the Housatonic River have a nice display of stripers, bluefish, and other types of fish that team around the mouth of the Housatonic River.

While the fall is usually the best time to go river mouth fishing (fish go up river to spawn), the spring can prove fruitful, too.

I love to try new things. It is all about adventure. Would it not be awesome to snag a couple when least expected? I think that is the most magical thing - when things happen when they are least expected.

Insulated waders and some hot vegetable broth (with cayenne pepper) in a thermos, an overcast day, and a few fishing poles. Bliss.

Dam! What a Great Idea!

Well, if you have paid attention to the news lately, you read about the influx of water into the Grand Canyon. Thanks to the Federal Government, you can now enjoy class 5 rapids...just kidding.

The release of 300,000 gallons of water/second into the Grand Canyon is a Federal experiment to determine if nutrients and sandbars can be rehabilitated by opening dams and flooding rivers. If I were a hungry fish, I'd be excited.

In the Housatonic River in Connecticut, it has been stated that the fish are fatter and happier as a result of a similar influx of water, however natural (i.e., flooding). Hard to believe the influx of H20 would be good for fishing, though. I mean, if the "floods" brings added nutrients, plankton, and other plant life, why would a fish want to nibble a gnatty fly?

Let's have a vote, folks - see the SURVEY to the left.

Down East Magazine covers Rangeley Lake

Once touted as a lake full of bass and a river full of trout (with cabins and boats to boot), Rangeley Lake is a fisher's paradise.

This month's issue of Down East magazine covers the fishing in Rangeley Lake (as well as a partial review of the accommodations). The article focuses on trout and bass. The pictures are beautiful, really.

I've been going to Maine every summer since I was a child. I have never taken the opportunity to fish inland (i.e., lakes and rivers). I have always hit the ocean, as that is the locale of the tiny coastal fishing village (Friendship) that my family has frequented since 1948. An article like this has prompted me to consider other ventures. I mean, it is nice to dream of stripers up the St. Georges River, but why bat an eye at a lake that is connected to a river (via a man made dam) that is FULL of wonderful fish?

I will ponder an overnight stay. Here is information on Rangeley Lake Resort.